Cymande Davis went from goal stopper to goal scorer as Hamilton Parish finally picked up their first win of the season.

Davis, signed from Dandy Town in the summer to boost Parish's goalkeeping department, came out of his goal to play striker yesterday and made a significant contribution.

The move paid dividends as Parish received an early Christmas gift in the form of their first victory as Rangers slumped to their fourth straight loss.

Davis made way in goal for college student Nigel Burgess, who transferred to Parish from Wolves and was making his debut for the Peppers.

While not taking anything away from Davis' goalkeeping this season, he might have learned a thing or two from the youngster as Burgess made a string of important saves to keep out Rangers.

Kwame Tucker might have put Rangers in front in the seventh minute when Burgess miskicked right into his path. But when the easy chance was presented to him he squandered it.

Parish came out gunning from the opening whistle and quickly went ahead with what proved to be the decisive strike.

Tajmal Webb beat two defenders and then slipped in a floating cross which came off the head of Sean Dill before landing at Davis' feet. The resulting shot was deflected off Antwone Tucker and into the goal.

Then, enterprising play from Parish created a breakaway for Davis in the 23rd minute but his shot went inches wide from just seven yards.

Southampton should have equalised in the 31st minute, but neither Darrell nor Tucker could put the ball away after back to back chances. Again in the 37th minute Rangers came away empty handed after Tucker, Darrell and Wilkinson had their chances, with the former missing an open net which might not have counted as a foul was called.

The half ended with a close call for Rangers' defence as Sean Dill just failed to get his head to a floating cross which might have certainly resulted in a goal.

Kwame Tucker came up short in the 49th minute after breaking away from Parish's defence only to shoot straight at the keeper who cut down the angle swiftly.

Webb took a snap 25 yard shot which crashed into the crossbar and Davis then fired into Darrell's arms on a breakaway as Parish searched for more goals.

Tucker again squandered an opportunity in the 55th minute, missing an open goal after a great cross from Ming found him just yards out.

Both teams made subs in the second half, seeking fresh legs and Parish's nearly paid dividends as Clevon Hill and Phillian Webb both came close in the 77th minute during a goalmouth scramble.

Burgess came to the rescue again in the 85th minute to protect Parish's goal and Kuma Smith made a fine sliding tackle to deny Ming after getting behind the Peppers defence in the 90th minute.

Parish were then left to wait even longer for their first victory after five minutes of injury time was added by the referee.

Hamilton Parish: N.Burgess; R.Edwards, K.Burchall, C.Caisey, K.Smith, T.Webb, A.Baker, L.Raynor, J.Belboda, C.Davis (P.Webb 76 mins), S.Dill (Cl.Hill 71 mins).

Southampton Rangers: R.Darrell; A.Tucker, D.Charles, R.Belboda, N.Grant, P.Brangman, S.Ming, C.Simons, C.Darrell, K.Tucker, T.Wilkinson (J.Dill 60 mins).

Referee: Lawrence DeShields.

Men of the match: Nigel Burgess (Parish), Sheridan Ming (Rangers).